Chevy Chase man arrested in Silver Spring rapper’s killing

Slaying of Amobi, aka Frank Diggy, took place during drug deal, according to court documents

Dennis Mackabee, 29, of Chevy Chase is charged with first-degree murder in the killing of Franklin Amobi, a Silver Spring man many knew as rapper Frank Diggy, according to Montgomery County police.

Mackabee of the 2800 block of Terrace Drive is scheduled for a bail review hearing today. He is the third man to be questioned in this case, police say.

Amobi, 24, was shot around 6:37 a.m. Dec. 27 in Silver Spring.

Police got a break in the case this month via a police informant in Prince William County, Va., according to charging documents filed in Montgomery County District Court.

The informant told police May 12 that the homicide took place during a drug deal and that three men were involved, including Mackabee, according to the documents.

Six days later, police interviewed another man the informant said was involved in the shooting, according to court documents. The man said he was present during the shooting and that a third man was the shooter.

The trio met with Amobi Dec. 27 to buy crack-cocaine, according to court documents. While Mackabee was negotiating the deal, another man shot Amobi, then stole something from his pockets, court records say. The three then fled.

The man who the informant said is the shooter is awaiting sentencing for an unrelated crime, said Montgomery County police Capt. Paul Starks.

Starks said Montgomery County police are investigating the case and others could be charged.

Friends said Amobi had a promising musical career. Huwey Kelly, who began as Amobi’s promoter a little more than a year ago, staged a rap showcase in January at the Pashion Restaurant and Lounge in Wheaton to honor him. Amobi had a release party for his fourth mix tape, titled “Better With Time,” last summer at a night club in Hyattsville, and performed throughout the area.

He was known by his rap name in the community of apartment houses and townhomes in White Oak.

In December 2006, Amobi was sentenced to eight years in prison for drug distribution. He served two-and-a-half years, and upon his release violated parole when he was charged with possession of marijuana, which led to three months of supervised probation.